BR Fans and Buckle

[Southampton Gull]

I'm not sure getting rid of Buckle would be the right thing to do at the moment, we cannot go on sacking managers and bringing in entire new squads.
I didn't want or like him from day one, purely on a personal level, I thought he came across as a bit of a smarmy git. However, after the Wimbledon game I may have allowed myself to get carried away with all the pre season hype, especially the promise of attacking football, something we have not seen here for a while.
I have been to all the home games, and most of the away (just ticking off new grounds really, rather than being some sort of uber fan), and I have only seen us 'go for it' in 3 or 4 matches.I even left Burton early last week. We were only one goal behind, and there was 8 minutes left, but I was bored shitless, went for a piss, saw the exit and thought I might as well walk back to the car.
Buckle was quoted as saying fans should 'lower their expectations', and he has come in for huge amounts of stick over this ( Even a terrace chant by me to the tune of 'Alloutte' which is just 'Expectations, lower expectations' ad infinitum. However, I do think there is an element of truth in what he says. For a few seasons now- and I don't think internet forums help on this score- I have seen big over reactions to every win or defeat. As a club we have to start getting a perspective of what we are capable of, initially in the short term. Being in a big city with a large population does not make us a big club, though there is obvious potential to be doing much better than we are. There is something rotten at Rovers at the moment, but Buckle is not entirely to blame.
I have seen most of the 'top' teams in this division, and noone stands out- even Crawley, who dicked us, didn't look that special to me- so bizarre as it sounds, I do think is is feasible(though I personally don't think we will) that we could still get near the play offs (as most teams could), so I do think we have to stick with Buckle till the end of the season- though admitttedly I won't be crying in my beer if they do get rid of him.
Oh, and I do still think he comes across as a smarmy, cocky little t**t.

Spot on post mate, and how about that for "Quote of the Month"?

[Gullscorer]

So many Rovers supporters I've read on various forums, most of them (a few honourable exceptions of course) seem to think they are a far better football manager than Paul Buckle; I'm amazed that not one of them was ever offered the job!

Well, no, not really amazed. Just disappointed that so many football supporters prefer to criticise so much, rather than support, their manager, as well as their players.

[Southampton Gull]

Give it time ...................

[Gullscorer]

Perhaps I could apply for the job after next May's play-off final (Bristol Rovers 0-1 Torquay United) as Paul Buckle sails off to become Bristol City's manager.

[Colorado Gull]

Perhaps I could apply for the job after next May's play-off final (Bristol Rovers 0-1 Torquay United) as Paul Buckle sails off to become Bristol City's manager.

More like Bristol Athletic

[Gullscorer]

More like Bristol Athletic

I was joking of course. Paul Buckle is actually a brilliant manager, the best Bristol Rovers have had for many years. I believe he will get them promoted and will eventually be adored by their fans and become a Rovers legend.

[Plymouth Gull]

Paul Buckle is actually a brilliant manager, the best Bristol Rovers have had for many years. I believe he will get them promoted and will eventually be adored by their fans and become a Rovers legend.

Alright Paul?

[stevegull]

Alright Paul?

=D

[friendlygas]

Hi Gulls,
You are right,haven't been on here for a long time as a couple of weeks ago you lot were in despair and we were as well!! Was a bit like going from one miserable place to another,You have now picked up and we are..well up and down like a perishing yo-yo. Well we got a right banana skin match tomorrow and I believe you have a real tough one which to be honest I wouldn't fancy our chances at one bit!!
I really dread what is going to happen if we lose tomorrow as PB is not everyones favourite person at the moment.I still believe he can pull us through but to be hionest not much is going our way at the moment.I was at our last two away games Accrington and Burton and have seen us outplay both with only about six shots at our goal in the last two games but unfortunately four have gone in!! It is a VERY frustrating time to be A Rovers fan in these circumstances,the highlight for me has been the form recently of Muzzy. He really is a joy to watch and with Jo Anyinsah also playing well it is good to be back to having two wingers. McGleish has for me been a disappooiintment as has Zebs and Stanley. Bevan also has been a bit of a worry as his confidence seems to have been hit and he is struggling to keep out low shots to the corner although I still think he is a good goalkeeper in this league.

Our forum is really a crap place to be at the moment and it was disappointing at Accrington to have quite a big group of "fans" (used loosely) chanting "We want Buckle Out".

Well the FA Cup adventure starts tomorrow and lets hope we are both in the draw!!
Cheers.

[stevegull]

Good to hear your view from the 'inside' friendlygas.

I also think if you stick with Bucks he will come good, although i know a lot of Gulls fans disagree with me. Unfortunately, the first round of the F.A Cup tends to end a few managerial stays if a team is on a particularly bad run. However, i do think you should dispatch that side quite easily and cruise into the next round.

On Muzzy, he really is a terrific player if you can get him playing with his head screwed on! I think it's all about confidence for him personally. If he does well with his first touch with the ball in the game, he will go on to have a stormer. If not, he generally struggles to do anything. I think that's why he struggled so much at Lincoln, as in that situation teams were heading to Cecil Bank (is that right?) looking for a win and getting in their grills, and i'm not sure Muzzy is always up for a 'fight' for a game.

I've heard Stanley has been unimpressive for you, and to be honest i'm very surprised. From what i saw from Stanley last year he is one of the best central midfielders in the League and i thought he could probably cut it in League One. Just goes to show what can happen to a player if a team is short on confidence.

Onto Bevan now, and he did have a hard time with us with low shots zipped in from distance, although this was put down to some kind of thigh problem he had at the time apparently. From the sounds of it it is quite hard to clear up completely so perhaps he's suffering with that a bit and Buckle is refusing to pull in your replacement (who i don't know, would he be up to League Two?).

We had a similar situation on this forum regarding wanting the manager out when we were in a bad spell a few weeks ago. However, not Ling is hailed as a messiah once again! And, personally, i think both of us should give our current managers a decent chance to show their aspirations for our sides!

[friendlygas]

Stevegull,
Some good comments there. I am actually someone who will give the Manager a fair chance and the players as well. IMO Paul Buckle will get it riught provided the majority of supporters give him a chance.If bthe club loses the majority of their supporters then times become very difficult.
I actually agre with you on the Stanley aspect and thiunk he is a very good defensive midfielder however he needs a creative player alongside him and then IMO he becomes more creative as well. When he is played with supporters "God" Stuart Campbell they are too similar and we are lucky to get out iof our half. Bevan also has IMO been very good most games and on many occasions has been blameless on the goals conceded. All goalkeepers in the lower levels have weaknesses and I would say low shots are his weakness but he has also made some very good saves low down. To me he is one of the better keepers in this division. As regards Zebs again I think he will come good and score goals.
Well done on a great result on Saturday and to be honest I am surprised on your supporters negativity on the draw because IU would say that yes its a difficult draw and not one I would fancy but the form you are on it could easily go your way. We have another potential bananaskin in that ahy team who can score 8 goals irrespective of the opposition MUST be taken seriously.

Finally Muzzy, well I expect you have now seen his goal on saturday. The bloke is a genius with the ball and is fast becoming my favourite player. Thats three great games on the trot that he has had and he really is a breath of fresh air. I really think that Buckle has brought us in some good players and that we will improve our league position.Not sure as to whether we will make the PlayOffs however I still have that sneaking feeling in the back of my mind that we will play each other in the Play offs,maybe even the final.

If we do I am sure that we will take our usual 40,000 "supporters" to the final and that all the Buckle haters will not be seen for dust!!

Good luck.

[CP Gull]

Not sure as to whether we will make the PlayOffs however I still have that sneaking feeling in the back of my mind that we will play each other in the Play offs,maybe even the final.

If we do I am sure that we will take our usual 40,000 "supporters" to the final and that all the Buckle haters will not be seen for dust!!

Good luck.

Oh they'll be there alright .... they'll just be in the other "end"!